15-05-2025
Cathy Kelly on cancer and the importance of mental well-being
In the latest episode of RTÉ's acclaimed podcast Insights with Sean O'Rourke, our host sits down with best-selling author Cathy Kelly for an intimate and wide-ranging conversation. Listen back above.
One of Ireland's most beloved novelists, Cathy Kelly has garnered a global readership and commercial success that once saw her out-selling literary giants such as J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown.
Before transitioning to fiction, Cathy had a distinguished career as a journalist, working as a feature writer, agony aunt, film critic, and columnist. She made her literary debut in 1997 with Woman to Woman, which became a number-one bestseller.
After publishing two more successful novels, she left journalism behind to become a full-time writer.
Nearly three decades and 23 novels later, Cathy remains as prolific as ever. Her latest novel, Sisterhood, was released in paperback earlier this year, marking a significant milestone in her career following a personally challenging period.
In recent years, Cathy has faced a breast cancer diagnosis, a divorce, the sale of her family home, and a new chapter with a new partner. Despite these upheavals, her writing continues to resonate with readers worldwide.
In this insightful episode, Cathy opens up about her writing process, coping with her recent breast cancer diagnosis, and the importance of mental well-being during treatment.
